A Dunedin man who helped the victim of an alleged king-hit at a Dunedin petrol station says his family are praying for the victim’s survival.
The assailant remains at large from Saturday's incident.
Police cordoned off the Forbury road Mobil station following a serious assault.
A witness told the Otago Daily Times his son noticed a man lying on the ground on the forecourt on Saturday night.
The witness and another member of the public put the victim into the recovery position, and says it appeared he'd been punched in the face before falling backwards and hitting his head on the ground.
Detective Sergeant Nik Leigh of Dunedin Police says the 43-year-old man is in a critical condition in Dunedin Hospital.
Police officers from the Criminal Investigation Branch and forensic scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research were at the scene on Sunday.
